Pen support



June 24, 1930. a J.-sENGBu"sc;H 1,

PEN SUPPORT Filed Nov. 16, I928 '45 7' is a section on the line 7+7Patented June 24, 1930 ievsmvzr snlvenuscn, or MILWAUKEE, wrscoivsmApplication filed itove ter 16; 1928. sear No 31 9,899.

This invention'relates to pen supports for receiving and supporting apen'in upright and conveniently accessible position. The principalobject of my present invention is to provide an improvedpensupport'which is adjustable so that it is' capableofreceiving andsupporting various sized penholders. More specifically; theobject of myinvention is to provide a pen support in which the lower end of thepenholder is seated on aseat and serves toclose an opening into orthrough which the pen point projects together with adjustable means foraligning the penhololersubstantially co-axial with the seat on which thepenholder restsso that the end of the penholder will engage the seataround substantially the entire circumfer ence ofthe end of thepenholder,}so that the space below said opening will be'practicallysealed apart from the atmosphere 'sfoffarfla's communication is*possible between .said

space and the opening; r in Other objects and advantages will beunatmosphere through said derstood by, reference; to the followingspecification and'accompanying drawing; in which I have illustrated apen support'embodying aselectedform of my invention.

In the drawingi 36 l is a perspective showing in a gen eral way apensupport embodying the features ofmy invention. j I Fig. 2 is alongitudinal faxial section through the pen support"'proper.;

Fig; 3 is a section similarto a part of Fig. 2,. but; showing the partsin an adjusted position. 7 Fig.4 is a section on the'line 4.-4L of 0Fig.2.; i

2, the cap part being'removed'. v

Fig. 6 is a' fragmentary sectional view illustrating a slightmodification ofthe structure shown inFigs. 1 to 5inc lusive,'and Fig.

i of Fig.6. My present inventionis" inthe nature of an improvementoverthe'structure shown in my co -pending application Serial No. l64,4:11filed Jan. 29, 1927, and contemplates a socket comprising a non-metallicreceptacle fingers 15. i

- tions.

Figl '5 is 'a plan of the 5m shown injFigi 10 havingits lower end closedas shown at 11, and'prov'ided at its upper end withfian inwardly anddownwardly inclined annular seat 12. Theflreceptacle 10 is preferablymade of hard rubber or bakelite and is preferably of substantiallycylindrical shape. A metallic tubular member 13 fits tightly over aportionof the receptacle 1O and is slotted as shown at 14 -1 1 toprovide a plue rality of. upwardly extending finger parts 15-15. i

'In the present instanceQI islotithe upper partiof the metallictubularmember so as to provide eight such fingers. A shoulder 16 isformed adjacent thelower'ends o f'the fingers in the metallic'tubularmember 13 by swaging aportion of the tubular member outwardlyior in" anyother suitable "manner. The upper ends of thefingersa're bent atsubstantially right angles to "provide lateral outwardly projectingportions 17, and the outer end portions of the lateral projections 17are' jbent upwardly to provide upwardlyextending end portions 18gwh'i'charethus laterally offset outwardlyjwithrespe ct tojthe "The tubular mealmember '13 is preferably of such metal that the fingers '15 are flexibleor resilient so that they may be adjusted inwardly to red'uce theeiiective insidediameterof the tubevat the 'upper' ends'of the fingers.For -efltecting'such adjustment,' I provide an apertured cap member 19which is provided in itsbottom face with'a spiralgroove 2t)v preferablyconsist-7 ing of two "substantially complete convolu- The spiral groove20 isfadaptedto receive. the laterally'ofiset end p0rtions18of thefingersi thef portions 17 of thefingers varying length, as clearly shownFig? ure 5, to gcauseeach of the said end "p012 'tions 18 to'registerwith a part of the spiral groove. "I prefer that the portions '17 be so"proportioned that when the fingers extend straight upwardly,- that istojs'ay, when the j fingers v are in 'their normal position as part ofthe-tubular member 13, the end portions 18fwill fit in the 'outer'convolution of. the spiral groove. It willthen be understood that thefingers are in their outermost position of adjustment and the efiectiveinside diameter of the tubular metal part 13 at the upper ends of thefingers is at its maximum. By rotating the cap 19 counter-clockwise, asshown in Figure 4:, it will be understood that the ends 18 of thefingers will be caused to move radially inwardly so that the efi'ectiveinside diameter of the tube at the upper ends of the fingers 15 will beaccordingly reduced. In Figure 2 of the drawing, the fingers 15 areshown in their outermost position of adjustment wherein they are adaptedto support a pen 21 (indicated in broken lines) of relatively largediameter, the pen being supported substantially co-axial with thetubular member 13 and annular seat- 12 on the upper end of thereceptacle 10. In Figure 3, the fingers 15 are shown in their innermostposition of adjustment wherein they are effective to support arelatively thin pen 22 (shown in broken lines) in position substantiallyeoaxial with the tubular member 13 and annular seat- 12 of thereceptacle 10. It will be understood that the lower ends of both thelarge pen 21 and small pen 22 will thus be maintained seated on theannular seat 12 with substantially the entire circumference of the lowerend of the pen in engagement with the said seat. It will be apparentfrom the above description and an inspection of the drawing that thefingers 15 are positively adjustable from their outermost position shownin Figure 2 to their innermost position as in Figure 3, and alsopositively adjustable in the reverse directionrthat is to say, fromtheir innermost or contracted position" to their" outermost 'position.By means of the interlocking connection between the ends18 of thefingers and the cap 19, adjustment of the fingers is accomplishedwithout depending upon the resiliency of the said fingers.

' The sleeve member 23 is rotatably mounted on the metallic tubular part13 immediately below'the shoulder 16, and the cap 19 is secured to theupper end of the sleeve in any suitable manner; for instance, by meansof screw-threading, as shown at 24. The cap and sleeve may be lockedagainst separation by means of a pin 25 which is positioned in anaperture located partly in the depending flange 26 of the cap member andpartly in the laterally outwardly-projecting flange 27 of the sleevemember. The pin 25 has preferably a tight fit in the said aperture sothat it will not readily be displaced,

. and obviously the pin serves to prevent separation of the cap from thesleeve by preventing the said parts from being relatively rotated. Theshoulder 16 engages an internal shoulder 28 provided in the sleeve 23 tolimit upward axial movement of the sleeve and cap, and the engagementbetween the ca ends18 oft-he fingers and bottom of the spiral groove inthe cap prevents downward axial movement of the said arts.

The above described ad ustable socket structure may be adjustablymounted on a base 29 of any suitable material through the agency of aball-and-socket joint 30, or in any other suitable manner to permit thedesired extent of adjustment of the socket part relative to the base.The base is preferably of some heavy material, or is counterweighted sothat it,will be effective to maintain the pen socket and pen inupwardly-projecting position inspite of any overhanging weight of thepen or socket part. The metallic part 13 is preferably of a non-rustingmetal, or of any other metal which is treated with a suitablerust-proofing process, so that ink or moisture from the ink whichcontacts with such metal will not cause corrosion of the same. Byinspection of Figure 2, it will be readily understood that the chamber31 in the receptacle 10 is sealed apart from the atmosphere by the lowerend of the penholder which is seated on the seat 12 and serves to closethe upper end of the said receptacle. Hence, my pensupporting socket isparticularly adapted for use in connection with fountain pens and pensof the class disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 159,680,filed Jan. 7, 1927,for the reason that the pen point and exposedink-carrying parts are effectively sealed apart from they atmosphere inthe said chamber 31, whereby evaporation of the ink is prevented and thepen point kept moist and in condition for immediate use at all times. 7

It may be desirable in some instances to provide means for limiting theextent of rotation of the said sleeve and cap structure independently ofthe stop which occurs by engagement between one of the finger endpieces'18 and the adjacent end of the spiral groove 20. In Figures. 6and'7, I have shown one form of such means, which consists of a shortlug or shoulder 32 formed in the tubular metal'part 13 instead of theannular shoulder 16, anda lug 33 formed on the inside of the sleeve 23.Itjwill be apparent that the lug 32 will limit upward movement of thesleeve 23 by engagement with the shoulder 28 and that the lug 33 in thesleeve will permit the sleeve to beturned through only one completerotation (less the length of the lug 32). By this construction, I avoidthe possibility of bending or twisting the fingers 15 which sometimes ispossible, in the first described construction, by excess turning of thecap and sleeve.

I am aware that changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts and features of my invention without departing.from the spirit thereof, the scope of which should be determined byreference to the following claims, which should be construed asbroadlyas possible consistent with the. state of'the art. x a I claim as myinvention I 1. In a pen support of the class described, the combinationof an elongated tubular. member having means therein for receiving thelower end of a penholder to'thereby support the same, positioningmeansadjustable to larger or smaller size within predetermined limits foradapting the device to support pens of various cross-sectional sizes substantially coaxial with said'tubular member,

and adjusting means, constituting part of the pen support, selectivelyoperable to positively adjust said positioning means to larger orsmaller size within said limits.

2. In a pen support of the class described, the combination of anelongated tubular, member having anannular seat thereinfor receiving thelower end of a penholder to support the latter, means adjustableinwardly or outwardly, transversely of the length of saidtubularmembeiyior engaging a partof the penholder "to.- align the samesubstantially coaxial with'said tubular memher, and adjusting means,constituting part of the pen support, selectively operable to positivelyeflctsaidinward or outward adjustment.

3. Ina pen support of the class described,

the combination of a tubular member-having an annular seat therein] forreceiving the lower end portion of a penholder to support the same,inwardly and outwardly adjustable means for engagin a partoit' thepenholder spaced upwardly rom said lower end portion, thereby to alignsaid part substan: tially coaxial with said tubular member, and

means, constituting part 'ofthe pen support,

selectivelyoperable to positively efiectj'said inward or outwardadjustment. v,

4. In a pen support of the class described, the combination of a tubularmember having an annular seat therein for receivingfthe lower endportion of a penholder to support the same, radially inwardly andoutwardly adjustable means for engaging a part of the penholder spacedupwardly from said lower end portion, thereby to alignsaid partsubstantially coaxial with said tubular member, and means, constitutingpart ofthe 'pen support, selectively operable to positively effect ment.V g V 5. In a pen support of the class described, the combination of anfelongated tubular member provided" with an annular seat said inward oroutward adjusta therein for receiving the lower end of a' penholder tothereby support the same, a plurality of radially adjustable fingersinside of saidtubular member for engaging a part of the penholder toalign thesame substantially coaxial with said tubular member, androtatable means associated with said fingers and selectively operabletapes;

tively adjustsaid fingers inwardly or out-f wardly. I 6. In a pensupport of the class described, the combination of an elongated tubularmember provided with "an annular. seat therein for receiving thelowerend of a penholder to thereby support the same,.a plurality of radiallyadjustable fingers inside of said tubular member for engaging a part ofthe penholderto align the samesubstantially coaxial with said tubularmembeigand rotatable means, axially stationary relative to saidtubularmember, selectively operable to positivelyadjust said fingers inwardlyor outwardly.

' 7. In a pen support ofthe class described,

the. combination of an elongated tubular member, provided with anannular seat therein for receiving the lower end of a penholder tothereby "support the same, ,a

7 plurality of fingers inside of and adjustable inwardly and; outwardlytransversely of the length of said tubular member, said fingers beingadapted to engage a part of the penholder to align thesame-substantially ooaxial with said tubular member, and means membergfand movable means interlocked; with said fingers. and selectivelyoperable to effect positive inward or outward adjustment of saidfingers.

substantially coaxial @with said tubular t,

"9. In a pen support of the class describeiil,v

the combination of an elongated tubular 'member 'provided with anannular seat therein forreceivi'ngthe lower end of a penholder totherebysuppor't the. same,' a plurality of radially inwardly and outward1y adjustable, circumferentially arranged fingers inside of said tubularmember for engaging apart of said penholdenspaced upwardly from thelower end thereof, thereby'to align'said part substantially coaxial withsaid annular seat, and rotatable means interlocked with saidfingers andselectively operable. to effect positive inwardor out ward adjustment ofsaid fingers. V v -10. "In a pen support of the class described, thecombination of an elongated tubular member having an annularseat thereinfor receiving the lower v end of a penholder to support the same,a'plurality of circumferentially arranged, radially inwardly andoutwardly adjustable upwardly-extending of'said upper ends beinglaterally outwardly 4O her having an annular seat adjacent its and.means for selectively and positively of rotation of said cap member.

11. In a pen support of the class described, the combination of arecessed member having an annular seat adjacent its upper end forreceiving the lower end ofa penholder to support the same, a pluralityof circumferentially arranged fingers extending upwardly from saidmember for engaging a part of the penholder to align said partsubstantially coaxial with said annular seat, said fingers beingflexible so as to be adjustable radially inwardly and outwardly, andmeans for selectively and positively efiecting such inward or outwardadjustment comprising a rotatable sleeve embracing said fingers, anapertured'cap secured tothe'iupper end of said sleeve and rotatabletherewith, said cap being provided in its under side with a spiralgroove receiving the upper ends of said fingers, some offset withrespect to the fingers so as to fit into said spiral groove,

12 111 a pen support of the class described, the combination'of arecessed memupper end for receiving the lower end of a penholdertosupport the same, a plurality of circumferentially arranged fingersextending upwardly from said member for engaging a part of the penholderto align said partsubstantially coaxial with said annular seat,saidfingers being flexible soi'as to be adjustable-radially inwardly andoutwardly,

effecting -such inward or outward adjustment comprising a rotatablesleeve embracing said fingers, an apertured cap secured to the-upperendof said sleeve-and rotatable therewith, said cap being providedin itsinider side with a spiral groove receiving the-upper ends of saidfingers,- some of said upper ends being laterally outwardly ofiset withrespect to the fingers so as to fit in said spiral groove, said cap andsleeve being held against axial movement downwardly relative to saidfingers vby engagement between the upper ends of said fingers and saidcap member, and means for locking said cap and sleeve against upwardaxial movement relative to said fingers. 4

13. In a pen support of the class described, the combination of amainbase, and a pen socket adjustably mounted on, said base, said socketcomprising a nonmetallic receptacle having ajclosed bottom and anannular seat at its upper end, a metallic tubular member teles'copedover a portion of Said receptacle and provided with a plurality ofadjustable finger portions extending upwardly above said annular seat, alaterally outwardly projecting shoulder on said metallic tubular memberadjacent the lower ends of said fingers, a sleeve having its lower 1 endfitting around said tubular member and engaging the bottom of saidshoulder and thereby locked against upward axial movement relative tosaid tubular member, an apertured cap member secured to the upper end'ofsaid sleeve so as to be rotatable therewith, the bottom face of said capbeing provided with a spiral groove of substantially two convolutions,said groove being adapted to receive the upper ends of said fingers,some of'which are laterally outwardly oilset sovas to fit into vsaidgroove, whereby rotation of said cap and sleeve is effective to adjustsaid fingers inwardly or outwardly according to the direction ofrotation of the cap.. h 14. In a pen support of the class described,the. combination of a pen receiving socket, means in said socket forengaging a partof the pen to. limit inward movement of the, pen inthe'socket, means inside of said socket for engaging a part ofthe pen tohold the same substantially coaxial with the's'ocket, said means beingadjustable to receive pens of various cross-sectional sizes, andmanually operable adjusting means carried by said socket, operativelyconnected to'said pen engaging means, for'positively eflectingadjustment of said pen engaging means selectively to receive pens oflarger orsmaller cross-sectional sizes. I

15 In a pen support of the class described,the combination of a penreceiving socket, means in said socket for engaging a part of the pen tolimit inward movement of the pen in the socket, means inside of saidsocket forengaging a part ofthe pen to hold the same substantiallycoaxial with the socket, said means being adjustable. to receive pens ofvarious cross-sectional sizes, and'manually operable adjusting meanscarried'by saidjsocket, operatively connected to said pen engagingmeans, for positively efiecting adjustment of said .pen engaging meansselectively to receive pens of larger orsmaller cross-sectional sizes,said adjusting means serving to hold said pen engaging means in fixedadjusted position.

16. In a pen support of. the class described, the combination of a penreceiving socket, means in said socketifor engaging a part of the pen tolimit inward movement of the pen in the socket, means [in said socketfor engaging a part of the pen tohold the same substantially coaxialwith the socket, said means being adjustable to engage and support pensof Various oross-sectional sizes in said coaxial relation, rotatably'adjustable means carried by said'soc'ket and connected to said penengaging means for positively efiecting adjustment of said pen engagingmeans to receive pens of larger or smaller cross-sectional sizes, andmeans for limiting rotation of said rotatable adjusting means.

17. In a pen support of the class described,

the combination of a pen receiving socket, means in said socket forengaging the lower end of a pen to limit inward movement of the pen inthe socket, adjustable'means in said socket for engaging a part of thepen spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof to hold said partsubstantially coaxial withthe socket, and adjusting means carried bysaid socket for positively efi'ecting adjustment of said pen engagingmeans from position for coaxiallysupporting a pen of pre determinedcross-sectional size, to position for coaxially supporting a pen ofcross-sectional size.

GUSTAV J. SENGBUSCI-I.

larger

